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Tuesday, 1 August 2017

Rivers State Court Sentences 3 To Death Over Killing Of Aluu4

Three out of the seven people facing trial in the killing of four students of the University of Port Harcourt popularly called Aluu4 have been sentenced to death by Justice Letam Nyordee of a High Court in Port Harcourt.

Those sentenced to death include, ex-Sergeant Lucky Orji, Ikechukwu Luis Amadi and David Chinasa Ogbonda.

Other four suspects facing trial; Abiodun Yusuf, Joshua Ekpe, Abang Cyril, and John Ayu were discharged and acquitted for lack of overwhelming evidence.

Justice Nyordee in his judgment blamed the accused persons for embarking on mob action without having the facts about the action of the students.

The Judge said the death of the four children was a culmination of the shameful failure of security institutions especially in the area of intelligence sharing, adding that the Police, the C4i and the Joint Military Task Force failed in their responsibilities.

“You are found guilty in line with Section 319 of the Criminal Code cap 9. of the Laws of Rivers state.”

Speaking with newsmen, counsel to the convicted persons, Chukwueze Ifedi said the decision of the court was based on findings of the investigation.

For his part, the obviously disappointed Director of Public Prosecutions, Ibikiri Otorubio said the state will study the judgment and decide on the next line of action.

“What we can say is that the judge has done his part and we will do our own. We will study the judgment and take the next action,” he said.

Twelve people were standing trial for the murder of the young undergraduates but five were discharged early this year.

Ugonna Obuzor, Toku Lloyd, Chiadika Biringa and Tekena Elkanah were killed on October 5th, 2012 at Omokiri community, Aluu in Ikwerre Local government area of Rivers state.

Father of one of the killed students, Mike Torku expressed disappointment in the judgment.

Torku said the only consolation from the decision of the court is that the children who were wrongly killed have been vindicated.

He also expressed happiness that the matter which has been on since 2012 has come to an end.